Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a sabbath to the LORD throughout your settlements.
I’m feeling it. Are you? That sense that you’ve come through something big and that now is the time to rest and play. For me, it’s been Christmas, Lent and Easter and Synod Assembly. I know, I had a vacation in there, and it was wonderful and restful, but over too soon, and I was back to work almost before I had a chance to take a breath.
I hear camping plans all around me, and travel plans. Gardeners are getting the itch to dig and kayakers the itch to paddle. As the days get longer, our bodies seem tuned to spending them in the glorious outdoors all around us. In some ways, I believe we are tuned to the Sabbath of the year as well as the Sabbath of the week. Slogging through those long, dark days of winter give us permission to go play in the summer.
So our Summer Schedule swings into place this month: Monday night worship begins on June 17. It will be relaxed and fun, with opportunities to play rhythm with the fun songs we sing, to talk about the Bible readings, to pray by candlelight and take communion facing your friends. Sunday mornings will be more casual, too, with a shorter service, and less dressing up when the days get warmer. All the planning for the Fall gets done during this time, so if there’s something you want to do or learn in the Fall, now’s the time to speak up. You can talk to me or Barbara George, the Worship & Music chair, or Becky Kreachbaum, the Parish Ed and Youth Ministry chair.
Music Theater Camp will start in July, when Michelle Moore returns to direct. They will be performing “Seussical Jr” on July 26 and 27. We are looking for a producer, so if you know someone who is good at organizing and wants a short part-time job, let me know. This summer we have become partners with Crook County Parks & Rec, and they will be handling the registration for camp. The cost of the program is $33 for three weeks of rehearsal and two performances, and enrollment is available on-line as well as in person. Members of Our Savior’s only pay $16.50 to participate, but you have to tell the registrar in person to claim your discount.
God commanded the people to think of the day of rest as holy, and to keep it as a time to rest in God’s presence, leaving regular tasks for other times. So too, our summer time of rest is not only a time to enjoy God’s handiwork in creation, but to enjoy Jesus’ presence among us in our gathering. It is a time to rejoice in the freedom to worship as we choose in a country that treasures that freedom. it is a time to rest in the love of God that never leaves us and embraces us wherever we go.
In June the choir will sing “Eye Has Not Seen.” The verse goes like this: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him. Spirit of Life, come give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of Love.” That is my wish for you this summer, all the days of rest and delight that await you: that you will see and hear all the ways that God is loving and teaching you to prepare you for the life that God wants to share with you.
In God’s unfailing love, Pastor Barbara
Leave a Reply